- Everest -

As soon as the door clicked shut Ash let out a breath before he spoke. "Imagine my genuine surprised this morning, to find my baby sister happy with her husband...it's almost as if the two of you never had mates."

His words were a dagger to the heart.

"You don't have any idea what you're talking about." I whispered.

"I don't, but what I do know is that I know I could love anyone as much as I love my mate...try and remember that Everest, the sooner you realize this is all an elaborate act, the better."

My wolf growled defensively.

"Why are you saying this?" I asked angrily.

"I'm trying to protect you!" He growled. "Do you honestly think that your husband can give you his heart when it died with his mate?"

I reached out without thinking and felt as my hand made contact with his cheek.

I've never struck anyone before, and never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would be capable of slapping my favorite brother.

He held his hand to his face in shock. "I don't know who you are right now Everest."

"The same could be said of you dear brother, the Ash I remember would only want my happiness."

"You can't possibly be genuinely happy in this situation." He responded.

"Believe it or not Ash people are fully allowed to move on and find happiness in another person, do my husband and I love each other, no...but we're trying our hardest to enjoy the life that we've been dealt, and to do that, we've been nothing but honest with each other and are supporting the other." I admitted, "to be honest Ash, my husband has shown me more attention and kindness than my mate ever did."

"Maybe it's because you didn't even give your mate a chance."

"We spent a night together Ash!" I confessed. His eyes went wide but he remained silent. "And after Caleb finished with me he told me to leave, to which I walked home in the middle of the night alone...I'm not going to pretend to be weak when I know I could've fully taken care of myself if anything HAD happened that night as I walked home, but I will admit that, that shit tore me up emotionally, he should've been there with me or asked me to stay or something...but he didn't...he didn't want me, he didn't care about me..." I cried. "You don't know the damage your soul takes when your own mate treats you like trash...no, worse than trash, he didn't want me, he got what he needed from me and then disregarded me...a point he made abundantly clear when he was all over another girl only a couple of. If hrs later."

I stood there wiping the stray tears away as they fell.

He tried to come to Caleb's defense "He's a human Evie, he just doesn't understand-"

"Exactly, he's human...so it isn't like there's going to be some huge hole in his heart now that I'm gone, to him I am just another girl who entered his bed and was gone in the morning, he didn't feel the physical and emotional pain that I felt as a result from that night."

"I think he did feel something Evie...he's gone, apparently he left town shortly after you left."

"It doesn't matter now, I've chosen to reject him and I'm married." I confessed. "All I can ask is for you to be happy for me, and if you can't do that then I'm going to ask you to please leave."

He sighed, "Everest I do want your happiness, and I'm sorry you had to go through that alone, I wish you would have told me sooner...but you spoke of honesty between your husband and yourself...you should make sure you know everything there is to know about your mate, just make sure he isn't keeping anything from you."

I looked at him, he looked as if he wanted to say something.

"If you have something to say, please spit it out."

He shook his head, "just caution to the wind Evie, I'm glad your happy, I'll stay for the presenting and then I need to get back to Flora I know how much she misses me when I'm gone too long." He smiled. "We're trying for a baby."

His change of topic seemed off putting.

"I'm glad to hear it Ash." I said a little unsure. "Now I really should go and find my lady in waiting before she comes looking for me."

He nodded his understanding and left the study we had stepped into.

For a moment I was by myself once again.

But it didn't last long as soon Heidi walked in, "there you are" she sighed, "do you even realize everything we have to do in order to prepare for tonight?"

I shook my head and she only smiled softly.

"Well first you need a proper meal."

"I've eaten already?" I informed her.

"Very well, then we will begin on tonight's dinner."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well it's the new Luna's job to determine what her guest will be served tonight. Usually you also have to set up entertainment as well and as this night is all about you, you pick out every little detail from the utensils used to the table cloth fabric, colors...it really is something that should take anywhere from months to a year to plan."

I rubbed my temples.

"Where's Phyllis?"

Heidi's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "Forgive me ma'am, but y-you actually want to go looking for Phyllis...but what about that incident in the bathroom?"

I smiled.

"Here's the deal, she knows exactly how tonight SHOULD be done, and she make sure everything is perfect otherwise it is her name on the line much more than mine." I filled her in.

"I don't know Mrs Graystone."

'Mrs Graystone.'

A small warmth flooded me, it was the first time anyone has called me that since going through with the union, it made me sound important.

"Heidi, you go and tell the chef's that they are to make the best northern dishes, everyone will dine buffet style, a little of this, a little of that... Pair it with a killer band and we're golden."

She nodded, "I can do this...are you sure about Phyllis?"

I nodded, "bring me Phyllis."

Without further protest she exited the room I had entered with Ash. When Phyllis finally arrived the silently walked toward me.

"You've summoned me?" She asked rather stoically.

"I have asked you to meet with me," I said ignoring her slight at my calling for her. "Because I need you to do something for me."

Phyllis opened her mouth as she readied herself to ask 'why would I do anything for you.'

But I cut her at the quick as I simply continued. "You see, I know I hardly have to ask you to do anything because you will do anything in your will to make sure this family doesn't look like an embarrassment, and seeing as tonight is my presenting I am going to need you to put together the BEST presenting ever. I've already given Heidi her orders for food and entertainment...but take care dear Phyllis as I am more than willing to give you credit for tonight." I smiled, "so I know you'll put on one hell of an event tonight."

Phyllis pasted in a smile, she knew I was right.

She knew she was going to have to do this and it is her choice if she would put together a half assed party or a full out showstopper of an event...either way people would be talking about tonight.